Earth Day will be celebrated April 22, so April is a good month to begin practicing environmentally-friendly efforts if you aren't already doing so or to learn a few new ones.  Make your outings more environmentally friendly by combining trips out. Or don't use your car, and get there by biking, walking, bus or Metro.
- Run the dishwasher only with a full load and skip the energy-intensive drying cycle by choosing the "air-dry" option; or just open the door overnight.
- Plan ahead when you shop and bring reusable bags with you for groceries. If you already use reusable grocery bags, purchase a set of reusable produce bags for fruits and veggies.
- Minimize disposables. Bring a mug and cutlery to work. Use cloth napkins at a meal. Wipe up with a rag instead of paper towels.
- Replace the incandescent light bulbs in your house with CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). Replacing one incandescent light bulb with a CFL saves 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
- Are you recycling everything you can? Refresh your memory on what items the City collects for curbside recycling. Check your trash for rogue recyclables.
- Obey the speed limit. Every 10 mph in speed reduces fuel economy by 4 mph, and increases the risk of getting into a crash.
- Energy can be wasted through leaky electrical outlets. Install insulation behind the plates of wall outlets.
- Turn off any appliances that are not being used for more than hour. Even at an "energy-saver" setting, a computer, game console or TV wastes energy.
- Turn off lights that are not in use. Shut off lights when leaving a room. Put reminders on your switch plates or install motion sensors that turn lights off automatically.
 Purchase locally grown food. Walk to a farmers' market or consider joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) group that delivers local produce.
- Run the washing machine only with full loads. Set the temperature on the washing machine to "cold/cold." Clothes washed in cold water get just as clean, but half the energy is used to clean the clothes.
- End junk mail. Stop unwanted catalogs (CatalogChoice.org), credit card offers (1-888-5-OPTOUT) and other junk mail (DMAchoice.org).
- Check your vehicle's tire pressure. Cars with low tire pressure get lower mileage.
- Place an insulating cover over your water heater. You can find a "blanket" at most hardware stores. (Oil or gas-powered heaters may need a plumbing expert.)
- Support environmental efforts in Rockville. Get involved and learn more through the Environment Commission.
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